When someone gives you a bouquet of flowers, the normal thing is that you want it to last forever. Unfortunately this is not possible. However, what if we explained to you how to dry a bouquet of flowers?
It is true that the result will not be natural, but it will look very good and, above all, you will have it forever if you take good care of it. For this reason, on this occasion we are going to talk about the different techniques for drying a bouquet of flowers and also the result you can expect from each one. Go for it?
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Techniques for drying a bouquet of flowers
When drying a bouquet of flowers, there are very different techniques from each other. Some are very easy to do, while others are a bit more complicated.
Below we will talk about the most common and which you can easily do at home.
hang upside down
This technique is one of the oldest and most common for drying flowers. It consists of hanging the bouquet upside down in a dry and well-ventilated place so that the air circulates around the flowers and dries them.
The bouquet should be hung in a dark, dry place to avoid direct sunlight, as this can discolor the flowers.
Some experts recommend tying the flowers with a rubber band to prevent them from falling or deforming. The drying time depends on the type of flowers, but is generally one to three weeks.
Microwave
It is ideal for small and delicate flowers. To make it, the bouquet is placed in a container with a thin layer of sand and heated in the microwave for a few minutes. The sand absorbs moisture and helps maintain the shape of the flowers.
Of course, it’s important to be careful when using this technique, as the flowers can burn if heated too long. In addition, due to the size of the microwave, you cannot put very large bouquets.
The other option would be with the oven, where you could put larger bouquets of flowers, but you have to be careful with the temperature.
Pressing
If the bouquet you have is made up of flat flowers, leaves and petals, then this technique may be perfect.
The goal is to place the flowers between two sheets of paper towel or newspaper and place a weight on them to flatten and dry them. Weight can be anything that puts pressure on the flowers so that they release water and only remain dehydrated or squeezed. For example, you can choose books or bricks. Pressed flowers should be left for one to two weeks to dry out completely.
How to dry a bouquet of flowers with hairspray
Besides the techniques we mentioned earlier, one of the most common in many homes is to dry a bouquet of flowers with hairspray. It is quite easy to perform, as well as effective. Want to know how it’s done? Here are the keys for that:
- Prepare the bouquet of flowers: Choose a bouquet of fresh, freshly cut flowers that you want to dry. If the bouquet is very large, you can cut the flowers and select only a few to dry.
- Add a layer of hairspray: Take a bottle of hairspray and shake it well before using it. Hold the bouquet upside down on a piece of newspaper or a flat surface that you don’t mind staining. Spray a thin, even coat of hairspray over the flowers, making sure to completely cover the flowers and stems. Do not forget the edges of the bouquet. The whole must be moistened by the hairspray. Keep in mind that you will be applying hairspray and it is important that you do this with the windows open and your mouth and nose protected so you don’t drown in the process.
- Let the hairspray dry: After spraying the hairspray, let the bouquet dry completely in a dry, well-ventilated area. The drying time will depend on the amount of hairspray you used and the humidity of the environment. Generally, it will take about 24 hours.
- Repeat the process: once the first coat of hairspray is completely dry, spray another thin, even coat of hairspray over the flowers. And let it dry again.
- Complete the process: Repeat this process several times until the flowers are completely covered in lacquer and look glassy. Be sure to let the lacquer dry completely after each coat.
Once they have that look and are completely dry, they are ready to be used as decoration. This method is ideal for flowers that have a unique shape and texture, such as hydrangeas, that you want to keep. However, keep in mind that the flowers may lose some of their natural color and texture after this process, as the hairspray can add an artificial shine.
There are many other techniques for drying bouquets, but these are generally the most common.
How are the bouquets of dried flowers
Have you ever seen a bouquet of dried flowers? Depending on the technique used, the result can be more or less beautiful (in terms of color, texture, shape…). But do you want to know what it will look like depending on the technique you use? We will tell you below:
- Pressed: Pressed dried flowers appear flat and thin, but still retain their shape and color. The flowers may appear a little lighter or more discolored than when fresh, but they will still be pretty. As we told you, it is ideal for small and delicate flowers, as well as wildflowers.
- Air-dried: Air-dried flowers can retain their original shape, but with a dry, brittle texture. In fact, the most normal thing is that some petals come off and the flowers shrink slightly. However, this method preserves flower color and shape better than other methods and is ideal for large, sturdy flowers such as hydrangeas, roses and sunflowers.
- Silica drying: Flowers dried with silica gel often retain their original shape and color. But in the case of flowers, they will have a stiff look that makes it obvious that they are unnatural. It is ideal for flowers such as orchids, roses and lilies.
- Dried sand: In this case, you will have a bouquet with a grainier texture and they may feel a little rougher to the touch than flowers dried with other methods. Also, during the process, they can easily lose their color, but not their shape. If you have sunflowers or gladioli, these are two of the best with this technique.
Drying bouquets of flowers is a way to preserve that fond memory, even if it doesn’t look like it was just bought. So if you want to experiment, I recommend trying several techniques until you find the one that gives you the best result for you. Do you know a way to dry almost perfect bouquets?